Healthcare is a Privilege

I didn't proofread, so forgive me for errors.


“Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof."

That is Article IV of the Constitution. Note the second sentence. And the Congress may by GENERAL LAWS prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. What does this mean? Well, I will offer my interpretation. The Congress is to guide the states in a general manner. This simple sentence should resolve any and all issues regarding the power of the government vs. the power of the state. As it is, governmental restrictions prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. Results of this limitation are the primary downfall of the insurance companies. The free market system prevents monopolies and encourages competetive trade, ensuring lowest possible cost to the consumer. The 'big bad insurance companies' fluff consumer cost simply because they can. Wouldn't you?

Other factors contribute to the high cost of healthcare. Outrageous malpractice lawsuits against doctors inflate the cost of services to cover the risk of error, or the perception of error. Doesn't this fact seem to be a bit reflective? Wouldn't preventitive measures be more feasable? Perhaps a more prevalent Joint Commission? I am not sure of how their audits work, but paperwork is not the same as proceedure. I will borrow the term 'doctor panel' and implement it into a hypothetical situation... There are state hospitals, federal hospitals, private hospitals, outpatient clinics, etc. Let's take it even farther back than that; there are universities that educate our medical professionals. Would it not be feasable to create a business model, based on checks and balances, that OBSERVES, ANALYZES, and REACTS to the medical, ethical and moral protocol implemented by our caregivers? I could probably ace my way through med school, but I would also give some ugly scars if I were a surgeon. Just sayin.. Anyway, the business model I was referring to would create a system in which the medical professionals were held accountable for their practice. There would be panel of specialists, moralists, scientists, etc. I'm gonna leave this point alone because I would get off track and attach a diagram and I really don't have time for that.

My point on this: There are too many options to revise the current system and the government has no place in the dictation of this aspect of my life. Should healthcare be mandated just because people can't afford it, driving up the cost for those who can? No. Should preexisting conditions limit the care someone receives? No, that sounds too much like discrimination. Should healthcare be a luxury? No. Is healthcare a right? No, its a priviledge. Priviledges are those things we work to attain. I'm without healthcare now. Do I like it? No. Have I asked the government for help? No. For those people who are unable to work due to disability, let's make sure the disability is real. Let's screen the people receiving all government benefits and perform random audits as a price for our help. Let's encourage a free market system and keep our jobs at home. Service jobs do not last in a failing economy. During a war, the economy only prospers when there is manufacturing of goods used to support the war. Duh.

I am getting a bit off the subject here. Sorry.

Ok. Let's consider Jesus. What would He do? There is a story or two in the bible about Lepers and such coming to Jesus to ask for help. How many times did he say, 'Im sorry dude, its not my job. King Herod Antipas is your ruler and he is responsible for your health. Talk to him.' I'm tellin you, if He had, we would all be nailed to a cross. On that note, shouldn't WE be more responsible for our health???? Shouldn't we be protesting McDonalds for serving us french fries? Or should we just stop eating them? Hmm... Let's be accountable for ourselves.

I used to think we needed healthcare controlled by the government. I used to make jokes about moving to Canada for that very purpose. Check out their standards. Check out their survival rate for prostate cancer, one of the easiest cancers to treat. I would share the numbers, but I can't remember them exactly. The prognosis isn't good. The treatment is subpar. Healthcare is something one expects to see quality of service, not a game of chance...

The government should not bulldoze this issue to fruition because the risks are too great. FDR was the first major proponent, but he couldn't get it passed along with the New Deal. He did, however, pass Social Security. It worked til now. Apparently he did not realize his time in office was a simulated aphrodesiac, producing an increase in population. Yes, you can laugh :-)

The provisions for abortion allow too many loopholes, creating an unseen genocide. The care measures provided for our elderly are a few steps above hospice- if you give them pain management, my generation will exploit it into a trade. If facilities become free-for-all's, can you imagine what it will look like when rationing begins???? Can you imagine the shortcuts that will be used??? Can you see how many illnesses will go untreated until persistance finally gets that other test done, only to find out the cancer has spread to the major organs and your loved one has just enough time to say goodbye?? Can you see how much Research and Development will suffer for Alzheimer's patients? Alzheimer's is getting younger and younger... What about autism?

I hope this helped raise awareness. I am not trying to sway an opinion if you have one already; I am simply sharing something I feel passionately about. I have too many loved ones in the healthcare industry who have expressed concern over the years. I will agree that there does need to be a revision of current regulation, but only to allow economics to work. There are certain principles that cannot be manipulated, in order for this nation to continue to succeed. I am sacrificing personal viewpoints in favor of a Republican agenda because I care too much about the future of our nation. Yes, there is corruption in government. Yes, there is probably a puppet master controlling issues such as these. Yes, I believe in the good of man. I believe in the 80/20 principle, and the 20% has caused the other 80% to suffer long enough. Above all, I believe in my faith. My God gave man free-will, because it is the true measure of man. Where his heart lies, he shall be also.

Much love,
Em


P.S. Look for the next edition in my ‘Soapbox’ Series. It will be entitled: Stop Jerking Around the Interest Rate!!